Parachute



F. R. OWENS May 17, 1932.

PARACHUTE Original Filed Nov. 23, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l F. R. OWENS May17, 1932.

PARAGHUTE Original Filed Nov. 25, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented May 17, 1932 UNITED STATES FRANK R. OWENS, or BEAVERoaossme, NEBRASKA I PARACI-IUTE Refile of abandoned application SerialNo. 321,424Qfi1ed. November 23, 1928. This application filed October 27,1930. Serial No. 491,614.

This invention relates to parachutes and has for an object the provisionof a parachute in which the opening will be rapid, and positivelyassured by the provision of means for directing air into the foldedparachute body at the beginning of a descent.

Another and important object of the invention is the provision of meanswhereby the parachute body will be opened in sections, the initiallyopened section taking up the load prior to the opening of the othersection, so as to provide a shock absorber, and thus obviate jaroccasioned by the sudden opening of the entire parachute body.

With the above and other objects in view, the inventon further includesthe following novel features and details of construction, to behereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a sectional view of the parachute showingthe same in collapsed position.

Figure 2 shows the parachute partly opened.

Figure 3 is a section with the parachute fully opened.

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like characters of referencedenote corresponding parts, the body of the parachute which is indicatedat 10 is shaped to provide a central dome-like section 11 whose outeredge is surrounded by a skirt section 12. The dome-like section 11provide a central air chamber 13 While the skirt 12 provides an airchamber extension 14.

Disposed axially of the air chamber 13 is a tube 15 whose lower end hassecured thereto a metallic or other stiff ring 16 so as to maintain thisend of the tube open. The inner end of the tube is secured to thedome-like section 11 by means of straps 17.

Secured to the outer end of the tube 15 by means of relatively shortropes 18 is the main supporting rope '19- and mounted for slidingmovement upon this rope is a ferrule 20. Inner shroud lines or ropes 21have one of their ends secured to this ferrule while the other or innerends of these ropes are secured at the juncture of the dome-like section11 and the skirt l2 asindicated at 22. A stop 23 secured to the rope 19limits sliding movement of the ferrule 20 in one direction. I l Securedupon the rope 19'is a'relatively stationary ferrule 24 which hassecuredthereto ropes 25 and these ropes are in turn secured to the outeredge of the skirt-like section 12 as shown at 26. Q Eyes 27 are spacedaround the skirt-like section 12 While an eye 28 is secured to the topof the dome-like section 11.

" When the parachute is collapsed a's in Figure 1 of the drawings,theouterend of the tube 15 will extend below the folds of the body and theparachute may be hung by ropes 29 which engage the eyes 27 and 28 andextend from a ring 30. In use, the ropes 29 will be disengaged from theeyes 27 and 28 and at the beginning of the descent, air will enter theopenouter end of the tube 15. This air will be directed into the airchamber 13 so that the dome-like section 11 will be distended.

'Opening of the section 11 will cause the ferrule 20 to slide upwardalong the rope 19 and no weight will be transferred to the parachuteuntil the ferrule engages the stop 23-.

This will cause an initial retarding movement. The parachute will thenbe in the position shown in Figure 2, continued downward movementcausing the skirt section 12 to open so that the full retarding actionof the parachute will become effective.

In addition to the above advantages, the arrangement of the ropes 21 and25 will more evenly distribute the weight throughout the area of theparachute body.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportionsand minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved tomake such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having described the invention what is claimed is 1. In a parachute, abody portion of flexible material shaped to provide a dome-likeformation when in open position, a flexible tubular member havingflexible connection with the top of the dome and being of a length toproject beyond the lower end of the domewhen the latter is collapsed, aring setoo cured in the lower end of the tube, a rope secured to saidtube, ropes connected to the dome of the parachute and having a slidingconnection with the rope attached to the tube, and ropesconnected to theouter edge of the body and having a positive connection with the tubeconnected rope.

2. A parachute comprisinga body of flexible material shaped to provide acentral dome and a skirt surrounding the dome, a tube disposed axiallyof and secured to the central dome with its inner end spaced therefromand its outer end extending beyond the body when the latter iscollapsed, means to maintain the outer end of the tube in'open position,a main supporting ropesecured to the outer end of the tube, ropessecured to the juncture of the dome and skirt and having a slidingconnection with the supporting rope, means to limit said slidingconnection in one direction, and ropes secured to the outer edge of theskirt and having a positive connection with the supporting rope. V

3. A parachute having a dome of flexible material, a tube having one endsecured thereto and in spaced relation to the dome, a ring secured tothe lower end of thetube, a rope secured to said ring, a movable ferruleon said rope, a stationary ferrule mounted on said rope, ropes connectedat one end to the dome of the parachute and at their oppo-' site endswith the movable ferrule, and ropes connected at one end to the outer ede of the parachute and at their opposite en s to the r stationaryferrule.

In testimony whereof affix my signature. FRANK R. OWENS.

